having withdrawl

 I have 51/2 years sobriety from substance abuse and let me tell you I feel like I did when I was first getting clean. I don't know how to cope with life now withouth the food. I just want to jump out of my skin. I find that when I get stressed or upset I am going through the cabinets. I am 10 days out and need some ideas on ways to cope in a more healthy way. I do attend AA but so far I am unable to relate it to food.I knew that I had food issues ( obviously) I just did not know how bad!!

Consider attending Overeaters Anonymous.

What else can you do when you are stressed?  Talk to someone?  Write in a journal?  Take a walk?  Listen to music?  Clean your house?  Take a long bubble bath (probably need to wait for your incisions to heal first, though)?  

There are OA meetings online.  I think you can Google it.
I am also in recovery and I knew it would be hard.  The only way I was able to detox off the refined carbs was when I had my surgery because I was in a controlled situation where I would be given my nourishment and then when I got home I had things all ready.  I was so out of it at that time that going through carb withdrawal didn't make things much worse.
All I can say is it will get better.  Treat yourself kindly.  Once you are eating a more normal diet you will find that you can enjoy eating a healthier way and not have to live with guilt or feeling sick or bloated from overeating.  
Just take it one day at a time.  I am able to relate at AA meetings with the food and also gambling, which I am also recovering from.  To be honest, I have been sober 30 years and I am getting older and I don't remember as clearly how bad it was.  But I do remember how bad I felt 14 months ago when I was a slave to overeating or even 9 years ago when I couldn't stop gambling.  I remember the feelings of powerlessness like it was yesterday.
Good luck to you.

Try to work the steps to your advantage. If you have worked a recovery program, I am sure you know something about this. Start with the first 3 steps and seek support, just like you did with your other addiction. It got you this far in recovery, so try to use those same tools. What about a therapist? Maybe those things could help you work through this difficult time.....

Best of luck to you! I had surgery a day before you, btw!

i am worried about this myself (haven't been scheduled for surgery yet)! i'm going to try some of the books that i've heard about on here and also try the online OA meetings (i haven't gotten much out of the 3-4 in person OA meetings i've gone to - probably me, not them)
anyway - good luck and keep us posted, hang in there!

If you go for therapy, consider finding an eating disorder specialist.

It's hard going substance and comfort free. Get all the support you can get, including OA meetings, online or in person.

Eating is something that releases a soothing endorphine in the brain.  Find something legal for your
intake.  I would have a skim milk ultra-low carb protein shake, of at least 25 grams protein, and that
really would help.

Try different flavors.   I like the Syntrax Nectar flavors because of the wide range of choices available.
The Syntrax also mixes with water, so you get your liquid needs in, too.

I keep the Caribbean Cooler, Lemon Tea, and Cappuccino on hand, along with the Isopure Ultra Low
Carb Dutch Chocolate. 

Good luck!

I've got 21 years of sobriety under my belt and I still sometimes get that feeling like my skin is too tight. When that happens I have to start evaluating what in my life is causing the stress reaction. Believe it or not, sometimes that is really hard for me to do. I don't think we become addicts because we have too many coping skills. lol  I was in counseling for a long time. Had a lot of sh*t to work through, but I also learned how to honestly evaluate my feelings and what was causing them. It's not a checklist that I can give you. It is very individual. I journal, take walks, read(for distraction), watch a movie, call a friend, or my sponsor,depending on the issue. When things start feeling really antsy, I go back into counseling again. Meetings are important, but not everybody gets the same thing out of them. Maybe now you need an OA meeting more. The first three steps are where I find myself back to, when I'm really struggling. This is not easy. Staying sober is not easy. WLS is not easy. But you are not alone. You have resources for support. TROW yourself into that support. You are not alone. Feel free to PM me if you want/need an ear or a shoulder.                          -Julie

Great response...

Yes, there are OA meeting on- line or you can go to the one's offered in your area. That can also be found on the OA site. I am so sorry you are having a bad time right now, but try to remember why you had the WLS.  I will keep you in my prayers and I am sending you a big (((hug))).